topics
tools
Expatica countries
Index Last Var.(%)
BEL 20 2246.14 -1.08
DAX 6727.22 -0.91
IBEX 30 8829.1 -0.82
CAC 40 3400.19 -0.72
FTSE 100 5876.05 -0.33
AEX 322.46 -0.82
DJIA 12890.46 0.05
Nasdaq 2927.23 0.39
FTSE MIB 16577.49 -0.46
TSX Composite 12497.94 -0.18
ASX 4322.6 -0.79
Hang seng 20783.86 -1.08
Straits Times 2960 -0.71
ISEQ 20 502.12 -0.32
You are here: Home News European News Air France Flight 447 didn't break up in mid-air

European News

archive
Enlarge font Decrease font Text size


03/07/2009Air France Flight 447 didn't break up in mid-air

Last month’s crash en route from Rio to Paris was the worst in the airline’s history.

Paris -- The Air France jetliner that crashed in the Atlantic a month ago with 228 people on board did not break up in mid-air, the French bureau leading the investigation said Thursday.

"The plane was not destroyed while in flight," said Alain Bouillard from the BEA accident investigation agency, which released its first report on the June 1 disaster.

"The plane appears to have hit the surface of the water in flying position with a strong vertical acceleration," he added, explaining that the plane hit the water belly-first.

The crash of Flight 447 from Rio to Paris was the worst in Air France's history.

There had been speculation that problems with the Airbus' airspeed sensors, or pitot tubes, may have caused the plane to stall or fly dangerously fast, causing a high-altitude break-up.

Brazil decided on June 27 to call off the recovery operation but France has maintained its nuclear submarine, research vessel and other boats in the area on a final hunt for the black boxes.

The BEA lead investigator said the search would continue until July 10.

The homing beacons on the flight recorders emit signals for about one month after the crash and the BEA hopes that they will have a longer-than-usual shelf life.

Investigators have been scrutinizing some 640 pieces of debris recovered from the crash zone for any clue as to what brought down the plane as it flew through turbulence over the Atlantic.

Autopsies were being performed on 51 bodies pulled from the disaster area, some 1,000 kilometres (600 miles) off Brazil's coast.

AFP/Expatica


0 reactions to this article

Be the first person to add a comment

General rating: Not rated yet

Rate article:    Add my rating


0 reactions to this article

Be the first person to add a comment
Discussion Forums

Community Noticeboard Switzerland

IFAs / FSIs / Country Managers / Confidential Introducers

Community Noticeboard Switzerland

Republicans Abroad Europe

Discuss Swiss Culture

Win prizes by filling out Expatica Survey 2011!

Community Noticeboard Switzerland

Win prizes by filling out Expatica Survey 2011!

Finding your way in Switzerland

great bouvier in Switzerland. Forum, contacts, etc

participate in the forums

Inside Expatica
Residence and work permits in Switzerland

Residence and work permits in Switzerland

How to apply for a residency or work permit in Switzerland for you and your family.

How to rent and buy a house in Switzerland

How to rent and buy a house in Switzerland

Information about renting property and obtaining a mortgage in Switzerland.

Switzerland's healthcare system

Switzerland's healthcare system

Information about the Swiss healthcare system, health insurance, pharmacies and emergency numbers.

Banking in Switzerland

Banking in Switzerland

Explaining Swiss currency, banknotes, credit cards and bureaux de change.